https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning daily 0.75 2026-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a95fc6f8-bac9-4d2b-8984-bdfd982ab280/flowers.jpg Forever Learning - Make it stand out Bee-friendly garden https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/40things monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/kittenskittens monthly 0.5 2024-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/133a741f-22e4-40f1-bcc0-f75870668a60/kittens+8.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! - Week One Mama and her little ones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/597dc7cc-3b7a-43d4-b5b5-b7da89c036de/kittens+7.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! Snuggling to stay warm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ddbc05dd-b3e6-48a4-8925-2a3f3986fc3c/kittens+in+pen.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! Crying for attention in the Pack and Play https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1726241035129-HZIIQGKKH4OEM0NI7PGC/kittens+2.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1726241035066-IKMG6S44YWT4RQPG3RDQ/kittens+3.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1726241063106-F6KNSSV1T1PO9Z2V6EHY/kittens+5.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1726241063124-ADE83DE3WUGJI24BA4IC/kittens+6.jpg Forever Learning - Kittens, Kittens Everywhere! https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/fosterkittens monthly 0.5 2024-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cb9bcf8c-0968-45c6-b254-6ec6ce3451c4/foster+cat+2.jpg Forever Learning - Fostering Kittens: A Worthwhile Endeavor - Dean on the floor and Sam in the bed frame What I didn’t plan on was them immediately finding a hole in the fabric on the bottom of the box spring allowing them to essentially hide inside the bed! Clearly, not ideal. They hid for a full 24 hours inside the bed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8d2b352c-be1c-47ff-b238-6b2b91423f01/foster+cat+1.jpg Forever Learning - Fostering Kittens: A Worthwhile Endeavor - Dean chilling We’ve made some progress with both of them. The older male, we call him Dean, loves a good petting and even snuggled against me under the bed and purred. Sam (short for Samantha-if you like Supernatural, you’ll get the name choices) still will only tolerate a small amount of contact. They are a work in progress, and this is exactly why they are with us. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/perimenopause monthly 0.5 2023-10-14 https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/ptainvolvement monthly 0.5 2023-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/139a6c00-66e9-47fe-80f0-eb6926dda479/quote+1.jpg Forever Learning - As a PTSA President: Why I Think It’s Crucial for Parents to Get Involved - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/lunaticasylumvisit monthly 0.5 2023-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/bc3207f3-b36e-46eb-a663-a005c5d53c3d/transalleghany+2.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ed411971-a44b-4b37-aa15-c089b42b2265/list+of+reasons+to+be+committed.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum Here is a fascinating (and terrifying) list of how people could end up in the asylum. You can imagine that this led to overcrowding which led to a host of other issues. You can buy this list in the museum gift shop. It would appear that many people we all know could have ended up in the asylum - not sure what “uterine derangement” or “female disease” refers to, but likely something simple like menstrual cramps or menopause. Some of these are also so vague! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/6ac9b5c7-4d1f-4e0f-8680-788beafd3100/transalleghany+1.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum Now some of the asylum has been renovated, but most of it has not. All of the wards are unrenovated and hence very creepy with peeling paint and lots of dark corners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1690557025814-GBHACAC0NTTPWLQFLPZ8/transalleghany+3.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1690557025816-S6G08K9IPXP9N68UZNRK/transalleghany+4.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1690557027100-BQ49X3VC2SHFESRAI6VW/transalleghany+5.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1690557027179-PTTWI9AA6CW86H6W1GML/transalleghany+6.jpg Forever Learning - My Family Visited a Haunted Lunatic Asylum https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/lessonsfromfamilyproject monthly 0.5 2023-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3eaee5b4-08b2-45c2-a18c-2ca0b71eef86/deck+prerebuild.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 - Deck at beginning of project This worked until this year when we had the horrible combo of rotten boards and peeling paint. The deck looked embarrassing. It was time to do something. Then came the ridiculously high deck quotes. I had quotes from 3 companies which I had recommended to me and was shocked at the prices. No. Way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/447fc456-14de-4a12-9892-0c9c1b6ad64c/deck+planks+up.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 This was particularly hard and fell mostly on the young men in our house. Each old board with multiple rusty screws had to be literally torn up. Have a mentioned this is a big deck? This took hours and hours and was exhausting, dirty, hard work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8d8366fc-9095-4bd5-af0f-a4f6f324d6ae/deck+reassemble.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 This phase was depressingly long and of course accompanied by intermittent rain for days, so all of our holes threatened to turn into mud pits. Everything we own was muddy. Thankfully we had the brilliant thought to bring up the canopy which made the working conditions slightly better and kept the mud out a little. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8742c8f7-b649-4137-af34-d0a07f7689b3/deck+almost+done.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 We were so happy to get to this phase because it meant we could see actual progress. 3 hours of drilling in screws later and I thought my hand was going to fall off, but we had progress! And we finally had a useable deck. And it looks just beautiful, all the more so because we did it ourselves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140374265-YBQZV3RH5KB24IOO8HQY/deck+cats.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140374180-ILANMFKOYPC9EIOBV2MA/deck+dump+run.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140408642-I5PUK8ZAG884M17VHK9L/deck+reconstruct+2.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140375827-K7TJ2NO369Z4ZDNYLKW3/Deck+m+measuring.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140408451-5TZGYSC6AFLDW4GS7SMS/deck+reconstruct+3.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140446497-62VOFTRU5FGDY4CPOKH2/M+deck.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140410017-QLJYNTB3OIB165X0YSZJ/deck+reconstruct.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140597330-MBGN0SWDB42ILNKN8WET/me+and+deck.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1688140650961-RFE1PCMNSPZDPFYVIE8D/N+and+deck.jpg Forever Learning - Lessons from the Family Deck Build of 2023 https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/youngerself monthly 0.5 2024-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8abcc662-69c1-456a-8eee-8c51fb479d74/T+young.jpg Forever Learning - Dear Self: Some Life Advice for You, From an Older, Wiser Friend Get as much life experience as you can. I know this is a broad one. I grew up in a bubble and acknowledge many privileges in my life. For a long time, I assumed and expected everyone to be like me, live like my family and think like I do. Turns out, that’s actually quite sheltered and you can end up very ignorant about the world if you don’t change. If I could talk to my former self, I would tell her to travel and see the world, even if only for a semester. See how other people live and make an effort to understand and respect people who are different than you. Maybe it means you backpack across Europe or you do a humanitarian project across the world. Or if you can’t do those things, then you take classes and do activities where you can get outside of your bubble. Sit next to someone who is different than you. You will be surprised at how much you can connect with someone who you might not suspect. You can major in whatever you want, even if you parents have their hearts set on you becoming a ________. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/monkeymind monthly 0.5 2025-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a46f2e3f-dad4-4996-981d-66062ef82c4f/lake+mcdonald+3.jpg Forever Learning - Is it possible to calm the “Monkey mind”? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/knowingwhattosay monthly 0.5 2022-06-28 https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/peep-show monthly 0.5 2026-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d978f914-5265-471c-8c59-2bd01de3481c/oriole.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Make it stand out Oriole - Maryland’s Official Peep https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/9b585fad-a9b7-461f-a926-e15fb61d1a7e/bird+2.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Getting there! Painted the bird and now cutting tiny Peep pieces to mimic feathers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b9371476-514c-4f9f-a810-77de9f588da5/bird.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - This is the paper mache stage. Finally looks like a bird! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/dc04a15c-2c88-4639-a9dd-50dd10719397/bird+1.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! First steps towards my Oriole bird https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/96b1b7e2-89d5-4a24-9694-9a164642ff0c/mufasa+in+show.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - 2025 Carroll County Peep Show Mufasa was in the top 10 out of 200 entries! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c4e2de33-0b37-497a-843b-0a175e3dff29/Mufasa.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Finished! This one was ALOT of work, especially with all the detail in the mane. I also tried a new technique for his muzzle where I melted the peeps and then smoothed them on - worked fairly well. I will definitetly use this next year and work on perfecting it! If you get to the Peep Show, make sure to vote for Mufasa - King of the Peeps! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0ae79828-3aa0-4d5e-bdb0-5ab422acd8ae/Mufasa+4.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Finally looks like a lion! I paint the final paper mache sculpture so you don’t see the paper under the Peeps! Time to start cutting and gluing on Peeps! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8e2b82eb-479d-4e33-859b-f21478e12bdd/Mufasa+3.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - He’s finally looking like a lion after many layers of paper mache. The paper I used this year is from old law books my office was recycling! This time is Jasmine helping! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d6b93728-cf25-4513-baa3-2498507e1da2/Mufasa+2.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - The paper mache process is time consuming, but actually my favorite part. It’s a great medium to work with (very calming) and I really enjoy seeing what I can produce. Mufasa doesn’t look like much here, but he’s on his way. Toby is helping! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/da833aaa-7d72-4bdc-89ad-2077e9032965/Mufasa+1.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - This is what’s under the sculpture. Never looks like much at this point, but I always have a plan in mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0e7aea0d-1d76-4004-b0f0-18890f9994af/peep+in+boots+finished.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! Finished! Meet Peep in Boots He placed 2nd in last year’s Carroll County Peep Show! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4e77d3c1-19bb-41fb-8919-b90ecd439565/peeps+almost+done.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! Still a work in progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/756786f4-abd4-4dbf-99d0-a0dd174e72ce/puss+in+boots+and+Toby.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Puss and Boots with my helper, Toby Paper mache almost finished. He’s also painted - looks rather orange, like a big Cheeto, but it will help to blend the coloring of the peeps later. Next we start cutting and gluing on the peeps! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0758169a-1ea4-4dec-9d4e-86891d15ed89/Screenshot_20220418-211857_Facebook.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/5bfdcf7c-c164-4c38-a3fb-1795093cf715/peep+bee+finished.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/11260e91-21b1-450c-a4be-14689463394f/bee+peep.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - 3/20/2022 Added the yellow peeps and working on making everything fit together! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1647539810065-A088N4AR1CT2129ZU52L/processed_20220316_180703.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - 3/17/2022 We have cut over 400 Peeps and glued many of them on. You can see the different colors before they are painted - no, the bee will not be pink as you can see in the second picture! Next step for the bee is to cut the yellow peeps to fit between the painted black ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1647539843420-2QFP98DHVIAESTM1VIT4/processed_20220312_120848.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - I do not plan on painting the yellow ones at all which saves time. The flower is finished, as is the center piece. Next are the leaves which you can see in the background here. Only 11 days until it’s due! It’s crunch time. No, the bee won’t be pink! You can see the completed flower in this picture though https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b806844e-c62c-48af-8c62-ed36899f653d/peep+flower.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! 3/8/2022 Step Three: Painting Paper Mache and cutting and gluing on Peeps! I paint the Paper Mache so that if the Peeps don’t touch you still see color behind them. I use acrylic paint and a regular paint brush for this purpose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1645548516439-WFOOQXUGM81T8CO4927S/peep+paper+mache.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f09f9e46-4f5c-4b71-acce-314fd5710155/peep+shoe.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - 2/10/22 Step One: Design and cut cardboard frame Design portion always has lots of mistakes and extra pieces of cardboard. We finally decided how to build the flower with a cardboard frame. Most of the flower and leaves will be paper mache which is next. We are going to reuse the base from last year so we have a 2 ft. x 2 ft. footprint to fill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/7fa906bf-e784-4322-8474-89be238ecaaa/peep+bear.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - This is “Peepington Bear”, he was our first entry and first attempt at Peep sculpture How do we make them? They are made from cardboard which is then covered in paper mache and painted. We then cut the Peeps, hot glue them on and paint the finished product. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c41350dc-654a-4e9b-84f9-5a0857dd5217/peep+rabbit.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Meet “Peeper Rabbit”. He won 4th place overall It takes hundreds of Peeps to make a Peep sculpture, so I buy them after each season and store them. They now have Peeps for almost every holiday! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3e868ede-7c99-4a1a-857b-44e1223ac7c5/peep+dumbo.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - “Dumbo the Flying Peep” was my favorite and placed in the top 10! Peeps are best cut when they are a little stale, so they aren’t quite so sticky. My boys have perfected the cutting of the Peeps, so that’s their job. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d122ac79-43e5-43bb-bb93-77413db8576f/peep+tree.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - “Spring has Peeped” This was our Covid entry. In 2020, they only had an on-line competition which wasn’t as much fun of course. In 2021 they allowed us to enter the same sculpture. This one wasn’t my favorite, but my first attempt at something larger-it was 4 feet tall! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/67b58369-fd05-4b9d-b8b4-821e286b7d7e/peep+bird.jpg Forever Learning - Peep show! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/readingisfundamental monthly 0.5 2022-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0fd3e69a-a52c-45ad-8b7e-930502f29ac0/book2.jpg Forever Learning - Reading is fundamental For as long as I can remember I loved to read. I remember staying up late as a teenager snuggled up in bed reading the latest hardcover Stephen King book. I just couldn’t put the book down and had to read just one more chapter before closing my eyes. While I don’t stay up late anymore (I would never recover!) I still make it a point to read every day. My reading taste varies dramatically. I read everything from historical fiction to biography to the latest dystopian vampire/werewolf love triangle. I have been know to just randomly select books off the shelf at the library and dive in. I do have favorites that I re-read every few years and love them every time (Pride and Prejudice being one of them). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c51b0a98-f8e8-4e36-943b-d8791f395f94/books1.jpg Forever Learning - Reading is fundamental A number of years ago I discovered “Playaways” at our local library. If you haven’t seen these before, look for them! They are about the size of an old MP3 player and you just need a battery and headphones to listen. You can use them anywhere. My children think it’s hysterical because I use them when I run. I trained for my first half marathon listening to The Count of Monte Cristo (excellent book BTW). I love music, but find it distracting. I enjoy hearing my feet hit the ground while I’m listening to a book in my ear. It’s a combination of peace and exertion and I get lost in the book while time goes by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/58216ea2-f69d-4e58-937b-f896c2ce9f68/book3.jpg Forever Learning - Reading is fundamental I used to keep a journal of the books I read with a brief review, but I found a website that does it for me and it became so much easier. If you are a reader, check out Goodreads.com (not sponsored!). You can set a goal for yourself (I am competitive by nature, so this appeals), track your books and see what other people are reading. Last year my goal was 30 books and I just made it under the wire-yay! The pictures in this blog are my eclectic reading choices for 2021. In the past I have been resistant to include my Playaways because I didn’t actually “read” them, but decided this year that that was a silly distinction. This year my goal is a lofty 40 books. I’m almost done with my first, so I’m on my way! Happy reading my friends. https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/honeybee-watch monthly 0.5 2024-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3e9ce6aa-f36f-4ad8-9aa4-f2a832e221d5/honey+extractor.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch - Getting things together for extraction I borrow an extractor from a friend and local beekeeper, so next I get that set up and gather everything I need. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c994336d-9c77-4f82-b7df-49935292f3f3/Bee+frame.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch - Frame filled with capped honey Honey on the frame is capped in wax, so the next step is to scrape off the wax. I haven’t determined my prefered method yet, but this year I used a fork to scrape down the capping so the honey can leak out. Again, there are lots of methods and I’m likely to try a different one next time. Any method results in a bucket of beeswax and honey. If you’ve never chewed beeswax with honey, you don’t know what you’re missing! This is a very sticky job. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2fa74605-1965-4a73-8d37-ac43135eadf9/honey+extractor+2.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch - Open frames in the extractor waiting for spinning Each frame of honey is processed through the extractor and then the honey slowly moves through the lower filter. The end result is a tub filled with clean, delicious honey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d9669da9-282c-40dc-a3e3-e9541fda3cef/honey.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch - Make it stand out Honey extraction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/101025b2-19db-44be-9351-0c2c65b0ef9d/processed_1000019305.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0866efc9-a7a2-4862-8de0-d42706dba6a5/bonus+comb.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f2399b67-3e30-4ac1-aba2-57ebbdb01b95/bees+with+rubber+bands.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/14997d8c-64dd-4d8f-94a6-b67c15ac59c0/close+up+of+bees.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/952f6a82-1f10-4b59-87b4-88e8004e1df7/bees+2.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/e0c35a55-79ba-48c3-a098-5372cd2a3105/bees.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/9af7cc8a-3d39-41db-9606-df8c3cb63db3/bee+inspection.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d38e4830-6186-41f0-84d3-b02474e50798/flowers.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f9c6b0a7-59a0-4e7f-ad01-5e4f5c551678/hive.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee Watch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/715d0990-d1e0-4ba9-9e73-e23159440491/bees2.jpg Forever Learning - Honey Time! - Honeybee 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https://www.persimmonlife.com/foreverlearning/tag/%23paranormal monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy daily 0.75 2025-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a8661532-356d-4d41-9cd6-a1470e0407a3/dogs.jpg Choosing to be happy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/83bd4a26-06b8-45b2-95e0-06e2af7229a4/hiking2.jpg Choosing to be happy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/fc1ff479-360c-4fc5-add2-282aa58465dd/bucket.jpg Choosing to be happy How full is YOUR bucket? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/926d4615-0999-4652-9b64-85f61313610c/happy.jpg Choosing to be happy Remember that being grateful actually makes your brain happy! Need more evidence check out this article: https://dailyhealthpost.com/gratitude-rewires-brain-happier/?fbclid=IwAR3ui-PMxXu4L8s2aRE-qjUswr0Nd691MFwaaNdoTrOxknPbCiDGffG2k_w https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/thisis41 monthly 0.5 2025-07-28 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/itsallaboutthebling monthly 0.5 2025-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/7e636338-7de4-4bc3-83f2-c6f89dfe982c/medals+2.jpg Choosing to be happy - It’s All About the Bling - From the start I laid them out in year order and was surprised at just how many races I had finished through the years. I remembered all of the hard work and dedication it took to finish all of those races. I thought about all the hours and hours spent running, swimming, and cycling. The schedules, the meal planning, the travel, and the injuries. It truly is a major commitment and a lifestyle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/91263640-5f0f-414a-b02a-30835d3dfd60/medals+1.jpg Choosing to be happy - It’s All About the Bling - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/otherpeopledontdecide monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/2025adventures monthly 0.5 2025-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c7851895-5b9c-48b1-b9f1-4ab15dc4256f/NYE.jpg Choosing to be happy - Goodbye 2024 : Welcome 2025 – The Year of New and Exciting Adventures? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/allthesmallthings monthly 0.5 2024-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1729871403050-U6PHCXJS9MKPSMG0WZHA/road.jpg Choosing to be happy - All the Small Things https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1729871428631-JZAMJ8EFUK7RDA1K9ALV/Toby.jpg Choosing to be happy - All the Small Things https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1729871455702-VG5KYAR4QX6KAFZDB3Y5/books+on+table.jpg Choosing to be happy - All the Small Things https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1729871476697-RJP9P4WK03QC73Y5RA1Y/glacier+5.jpg Choosing to be happy - All the Small Things https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/dontloseyourself monthly 0.5 2024-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/aa82755f-f971-44f8-879e-1b92fd30a997/books+on+table.jpg Choosing to be happy - Don’t Lose Yourself - Bedside books Maybe you were the one who pre-children loved to read for hours or thrift shop or craft. Or you ran races, painted or learned how to style hair. Maybe you traveled, garden or loved to try new recipes. Maybe you loved to dance, go to concerts, or write poetry. There are just too many wonderful things we can do with our time and our lives to list them all. Remember her? https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/simplifylife monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2180c973-bb16-4b15-aa4e-16f3d00ab51b/list.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Advice is Always to Simplify Your Life to Make It Better, but what Does that Look Like? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/themostrewardingfosterfail monthly 0.5 2024-04-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4a477ec6-caf5-4bef-87e8-a9945576510a/N+dogs+6.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Most Rewarding Foster Fail - Gramps The day he came into my life he was reborn and he was finally HOME. I remember him tiptoeing around my condo, bumping into things, trying to learn this new unfamiliar place that somehow also felt safe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0b752f1a-cdce-4b3e-9a25-70e0a77d40fc/gramps.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Most Rewarding Foster Fail - Gramps He may have been 15, 16, 17, (who knows?) but he was absolutely our little baby. I fully admit to singing him little lullabies and I think he liked it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1712320458641-0W9XOAI0E9XWEIAP59R3/N+dogs+5.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Most Rewarding Foster Fail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1712320474093-DA8H4WEDT0AGKSXM3MM5/N+with+gramps.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Most Rewarding Foster Fail https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/findinghappiness monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1710510499207-EP95ECMWMZ6320WADVM8/N+soccer+indoor.jpg Choosing to be happy - Finding Happiness: Always a Work in Progress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1710510516533-6FGSK6QJV5W0YY3ZE53X/caroline.jpg Choosing to be happy - Finding Happiness: Always a Work in Progress https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/lifelongfriendskeepyourheartfull monthly 0.5 2024-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/80137d40-e233-42c6-883d-9cc0c3c67ae7/friends+on+boardwalk.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life-Long Friends Keep Your Heart Full - walking the boardwalk together https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3b9c7719-cf64-4863-bb20-92e435144cff/green+flags.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life-Long Friends Keep Your Heart Full - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/nyestress monthly 0.5 2023-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4f09c48e-5306-44c4-b57e-3ca80972aabc/sparkler.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Stress of New Years Eve - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/lovefallnotpumpkinspice monthly 0.5 2023-10-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/417ab598-886d-4ce0-84dc-107c051869dd/candy+corn.png Choosing to be happy - I Love Fall, but Don’t Love Pumpkin Spice Although it appears there was actually a study done that shows a higher percentage of people like to throw the whole candy corn in their mouth at one time, I still believe color by color is the correct way.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/27810a72-887b-4617-b697-bb58d84771ce/pumpkin.jpg Choosing to be happy - I Love Fall, but Don’t Love Pumpkin Spice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/lifewithseniordogs monthly 0.5 2023-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3f591e26-debc-4895-a808-1a069d119f96/N+dogs+1.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! - Enjoying a ride I got them in 2010 at an entirely different point in my life. They have lived in every apartment, townhouse, condo, etc. and they have slept next to me, suctioned against me every night of their lives. But once I had my son, things started to change, and I hate that because I want to have enough love and energy for all of them. I realized this week how much attention they are missing out on, and I suspect they are quite jealous. I had 2 little princesses for 10 years and then in 2020, I adopted a 14 year old blind dog with health issues, and that rocked their world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2ffb67cb-a027-4204-813e-6723b72caf74/N+dogs+5.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! - All three in a quiet moment As crazy as they make me, I love them, and I know they only have a few years left. Gramps, who we adopted during Covid, is already 17 and I know that his time is limited. I don’t say that to be morbid, but rather to accept reality of having a senior dog. We absolutely adore him, and my husband considers him his first-born son, but he is an extraordinary amount of work as well. He cannot go down the stairs so if he goes up the stairs, he gets stuck and he sits there panicking. Poor guy! The 3 of them are more work than our toddler by a long shot! I know that our kid will be potty trained and the 2 yorkies will still be….struggling. (Gramps is house-trained thankfully otherwise I would have pulled all my hair out by now). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1696595882075-UG2EHBJDK93MZ9X8Y3P6/N+dogs+6.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1696595882070-SSV9K9YNB4DDY3KSDNE3/N+dogs+7.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1696595928566-WELTW46NDPBG643Y0RZU/N+dogs+2.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1696595928512-P2WMC2L4VOFGN4ZK8SZC/N+dogs+4.jpg Choosing to be happy - Life With Three Senior Dogs: Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Them Too! https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/doublerduderanchvisit monthly 0.5 2023-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/aa33323b-b807-4ac5-b084-f908b4952785/ranch.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch - Our home for a few days on the ranch Unfortunately, we missed the sunset ride on the Thursday we arrived (hike at Ft. Bowie took longer than planned), so we settled into our amazing guest house. I was expecting a cabin, but instead we had a lovely ranch house all to ourselves. It was so quiet and private, and we instantly felt at home. We were warned to keep the gate closed to “no critters” visited us – there are rattlesnakes and coyote in the area. We made sure to keep it closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/6b39bc75-89ec-457b-ad9f-9da9cb6b81ea/bright+eyes.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch - Bright Eyes waiting patiently I loved seeing all the horses on the ranch. They own 36 horses total and each of course has its own personality. My horse for the stay was named Bright Eyes and Tim had Romeo. Bright Eyes had blue eyes which I have never seen on a horse before and of course had to research (if you are curious, it is a recessive gene). There are also cattle on the ranch which apparently you can learn to drive in cooler weather. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/721ceb66-1a57-4060-b662-fe6a0a319aae/los+tres+amigos.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1695993638798-PEFBT4S1JJ5P7CAROA5A/horses+2.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1695993639330-6WEJ9IOG8XK17ARGILYC/horses.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1695993659273-ABSS36JZTHKHSTN6KC3C/double+r+ranch.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1695993693920-NJ6TFBWAXE56HAJ4XV14/tim+on+horse.jpg Choosing to be happy - Our Trip to an Arizona Dude Ranch https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/complicatedhikingfeelings monthly 0.5 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ef477f2e-18d9-4215-9629-f9990cee12ee/T+hiking.jpg Choosing to be happy - I Have Complicated Feelings About Hiking Enjoying the scenery in Maine https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/ashramvisit monthly 0.5 2024-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1692363494451-3MYN657EAKKVLCV202M8/yogaville.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Visit to an Ashram https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1692363275449-PR1SK0OOX20F596PTG8D/sunset.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Visit to an Ashram https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1692363377014-K4TUM9Z6RWWBAEI7Z4P1/ashram.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Visit to an Ashram https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1692363438909-Z349LYVRWA9COAZW10M2/farm.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Visit to an Ashram https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/goindownyocean monthly 0.5 2025-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/e0288d14-a40f-4919-9bd2-f210a9001ed7/will+beach.jpg Choosing to be happy - Why I Love Goin’ Downy Ocean The same rides at Fun-land are still there and one day he will graduate up from the little tugboats and he scream on the pirate ship and the teacups like I did for decades! He ate Dumser’s ice cream for the first time in his life and he experienced ice cream the way we should all experience ice cream, eating it with his eyes closed, savoring each bite, letting it dribble all over his face. I can’t wait for him to join his dad and sister in devouring Fractured Prune Donuts, which are made to order in the most incredible flavors like cookies and cream and maple bacon. We didn’t eat there when I was a kid, but I love making new traditions with my family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c70f31d4-bc3c-4227-8866-4058ad8b7da6/Tasha+at+beach.jpg Choosing to be happy - Why I Love Goin’ Downy Ocean Tasha enjoying Ocean City as a child https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/goingforawalk monthly 0.5 2024-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/40c4f377-427f-4e43-9c57-58ffdf6b0869/walking+photo.jpg Choosing to be happy - Going for a Walk: My Daily Practice for Peace and Wellness - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/reversenesting monthly 0.5 2025-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/427ffed1-7f84-4290-8fb5-566734c7314b/boxes.jpg Choosing to be happy - Reverse Nesting is a Real Thing More boxes to go through! https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/hatemyscale monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4312e2b9-c507-4268-b0a2-e8129f5aaec8/scale.jpg Choosing to be happy - I Hate My Scale - The dreaded scale Now enters the dreaded scale because now my clothes were tight. I could tell I was gaining weight and for the first time in my life, exercise wasn’t controlling it. And I was finding that I was unhappy about it. So much of our self-esteem is tied up in how we look. I always knew this of course, but gaining a little weight really brought it home for me. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/mentalhealthday monthly 0.5 2023-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/604d490f-8173-4ff2-908e-603daa78e60b/bike.jpg Choosing to be happy - Why I Take Mental Health Days and You Should Too - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/notasplanned monthly 0.5 2023-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/fef1908b-58ef-42f0-96e2-68859e94cde9/waves.jpg Choosing to be happy - When Things Don’t Go As Planned - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/469bcdf7-e974-4eb7-b02b-28042d4265ae/adulting.jpg Choosing to be happy - When Things Don’t Go As Planned - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/recoveringoverachiever monthly 0.5 2023-03-03 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/carpaltunnel monthly 0.5 2023-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/6c7ef275-daee-4572-bc3a-688f9b180af8/cow.jpg Choosing to be happy - Carpal Tunnel Surgery: A lot of pain, A Little Anxiety and Not Enough Chick-Fil-A - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/pickleballcraze monthly 0.5 2023-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f0b124ad-48a8-45d6-8b2b-037ad9b51cf4/N+pickleball.jpg Choosing to be happy - My family has officially joined the Pickleball craze - Nicholas playing for the first time Even better, my 16 yo son wanted to try pickleball. He has played several times and is enjoying learning the game. He’s a natural athlete so it has come easy to him. And since he is 16, he thinks nothing of leaping for the ball or taking a hit from the floor. It’s great to watch the two of them playing and taking the game so seriously. They have even joined a league together as a team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/e373f495-fed2-4595-a7e5-4c64f4541fdd/tim+pickleball.jpg Choosing to be happy - My family has officially joined the Pickleball craze - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/greatpurge monthly 0.5 2025-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0568c7bf-007e-49f0-8850-ec1e69656bf0/shopping.jpg Choosing to be happy - Lessons from the Great Purge - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f386bbfd-e8c6-4844-b6d6-62d47279ffc6/pile+of+clothes.jpg Choosing to be happy - Lessons from the Great Purge - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/enduranceracing monthly 0.5 2022-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/059c25fc-e4ba-4fce-bc7e-abc660416aa6/podium.jpg Choosing to be happy - Adventure race anyone? Why endurance racing calls to me - Make it stand out A podium showing for all of us! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c3e6bdeb-743d-4c7e-aa4a-0593b50f48eb/biking+adventure+race.jpg Choosing to be happy - Adventure race anyone? Why endurance racing calls to me - Make it stand out we got a little wet! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ad5b8db1-08be-4134-8eba-205809747b8b/adventure+race.jpg Choosing to be happy - Adventure race anyone? Why endurance racing calls to me - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/aginggracefully monthly 0.5 2022-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b855dc92-ccc4-4271-a407-3559a9e19be0/me+and+chris.jpg Choosing to be happy - Aging gracefully: Is that really a thing? - My brother and me on Fraternity Row UM 1993 My oldest son is in his sophomore year at University of Maryland and I freely admit I am often so jealous of him. I have such wonderful memories of UM. Oh, to go back in time to when there was so much less to worry about. At 19 it is easy to be dramatic about friends and boyfriends and sorority BS. It is so true that youth is wasted on the young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2de674e9-73f6-4488-b2ba-996eded7c571/me+and+M.jpg Choosing to be happy - Aging gracefully: Is that really a thing? - Make it stand out Me with Matthew 6/2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f5619fe1-5398-41eb-99fe-2a942364e610/me+in+glacier.jpg Choosing to be happy - Aging gracefully: Is that really a thing? - hiking in Glacier NP 2021 I recently tried outdoor rock climbing with my oldest son and while I accomplished what I wanted, it was tough. I envied the 20-somethings their ability to just move without the same fear or concern for injury. I told people afterwards that outdoor rock climbing may not be the best thing to take up at 50. But I did it AND had lots of random muscle pain and a bunch of bruises to prove it. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/obsessionwithsize monthly 0.5 2024-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8980f213-248c-4b88-9a4c-9320a9f7c0ec/pants.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Lifelong Obsession with Size and Shape and How I am Slowly Achieving Peace Last week I ordered a suit from the online consignment shop that I love. I ordered my normal pre-baby size and when it arrived I felt so excited. Until I put on the pants. They were really tight. Almost too tight to wear comfortably. I was bummed. I couldn’t exchange the size and most importantly, I didn’t want to be a different size. It felt like accepting defeat. I wanted to cram myself into the size I told myself I should be. I have lots of pants from this same store and they all fit me now, so why didn’t these fit? I remember tearing up, explaining to my husband that I just wasted money on a suit that doesn’t fit. Now that I’ve calmed down a little and given myself time to process this experience, I realized a few things. Designers all cut their stuff differently. Some pants in the same size can vary in their fit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b6a62893-0469-468a-bae6-a9dbdc90495f/n+%26W.jpg Choosing to be happy - My Lifelong Obsession with Size and Shape and How I am Slowly Achieving Peace - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/ifitsnotahellyes monthly 0.5 2022-08-06 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/nptravelmontana monthly 0.5 2022-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3c80b523-4f54-4d92-b309-1192b6ff8f32/lake+mcdonald.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana - Lake McDonald We arrived in the afternoon and visited Lake McDonald which is near the West Glacier entrance. Lake McDonald is famous for its still water, colored stones and gorgeous mountain backdrop and it did not disappoint. We spent some time just sitting on the beach and skipping stones, enjoying the quiet. It was late afternoon, and we were alone so I took advantage and meditated in the silence. We had planned a short hike on one side of the lake which brought us to some overlooks and into the woods surrounding the lake. It was very peaceful, and we only saw a few other people. We even saw a rainbow over the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/863c23c2-6594-4ea7-a5a3-69e8824417f1/glacier+cliff.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana Many people do not get past the first mile of the trail as it becomes super narrow and is basically on a cliff overlooking the road below. They have very thoughtfully attached a chain covered in a garden hose to the wall so for those of us (me!) who are afraid of heights and drop offs we can hold on for dear life as we traverse the cliff part of the trail. I freely admit both of us were very nervous here and I questioned my sanity (as did my husband) several times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1898b21f-c12e-4ee2-ad04-6df37e8c7477/glacier+4.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana We don’t always love out and back hikes, but this one was different as we were able to see the amazing view that previously was behind us. It didn’t disappoint. After the Glacier trail fright, the scary, narrow cliff part seemed easy – there was a chain to hold onto! This hike took us 9 hours total, including stops and lunch (and our crawl up the Garden Wall) and was well worth every second. This is a hike I will remember forever. I just wish I could figure out how to authentically duplicate the smell of the alpine forest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2c326d50-d8d4-4ca6-be60-b832496676fa/grant+kohrs+3.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana The scenery here was lovely; flat with the mountains in the distance. The highlight of the visit to the ranch was the simulation “chuck wagon”. A man dressed as the chuck wagon chef made ranch hand coffee and talked with us about how the chuck wagons came into existence and their purpose to ranchers. The coffee was super strong! We greatly enjoyed listening to him with the other couple who was there with us. Another highlight was the lassoing practice. They had a sawhorse with a head set up and a lasso for practice. Needless to say, I was not at all successful and I wasn’t even on a horse! Tim had better luck after some practice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098628355-OQV6PKR5G4X76WVL8GPO/glacier+2.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098641844-5NMMH5X0TOJ5BLJF3QM8/glacier+5.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098654421-IPMLV5WU738AFFD21ZL0/glacier+7.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098678721-NOMJG4RCJ7OBPBWGLSMD/glacier+fog.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098690626-OXEQYGEEQ2LO47TBFUW1/grant+kohrs+2.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1659098708704-MW60Y53VGFZ0OYH4DT4H/glacier+3.jpg Choosing to be happy - National Park Travel log 1 - Montana https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/joyofatimeout monthly 0.5 2024-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/caf1db3b-0bda-489f-ab44-9bf59f28a308/will+at+pool.jpg Choosing to be happy - The Joy of a Time Out I didn’t do anything particularly fancy, but I did what I felt like doing and I let myself really enjoy time with my son. I picked him up early from day care and we bought a cheap little baby pool and had a blast together on day one. Seeing him squeal and giggle as he splashed around was the best part of the whole time off and I enjoyed every minute. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/jugglingstress monthly 0.5 2022-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f2d40c4d-629f-4601-82b7-9e6e6cf929f8/to+do+list.jpg Choosing to be happy - Juggling stress: Trying to keep all the balls in the air is hard! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/idratherbecamping monthly 0.5 2022-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/bdc3b82a-23c7-47a7-9262-dcfdb1fb3f0f/hammock.jpg Choosing to be happy - I’d rather be camping So many of my favorite things happen when camping. I love sitting outside in the morning drinking my coffee and reading my book while everyone else sleeps, I love laying in the hammock in the afternoon after a long hike and letting myself doze off and I most love the conversations for hours around the campfire with my family. Many places we go do not have cell service, so there is no TV and there are no phones to scroll through. It’s just all of us talking. I love this. I also enjoy hiking wherever we go. Camping gets us to the starting line that much faster since we are already in the woods. Our practice is to plan at least one long hike a weekend when camping, sometimes two. The family likes to joke that these are really death marches planned by me, but I know they actually enjoy them almost as much as I do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f5273e50-4776-4ae6-ae3a-b9f34a5844cc/cabin.jpg Choosing to be happy - I’d rather be camping - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/stressonunmanageabledays monthly 0.5 2025-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d5e98b5b-2883-45ed-98b2-60cdc15e2114/mom+with+baby.jpg Choosing to be happy - Stress: How Can I Manage Life When It Feels So Unmanageable Some Days? - Make it stand out Not Tasha and Will, but mom with a cute baby :) https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/imgoodenoughimsmartenough monthly 0.5 2022-05-12 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/buynothingmorethanjustfreestuff monthly 0.5 2022-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/9baae857-0b74-4a0f-b65e-938a7eac1519/BN2.jpg Choosing to be happy - Buy Nothing: More than just Free Stuff Remember when Marie Kondo told us all to get rid of anything that didn’t spark joy? I love that idea and I really believe that joy is different for everyone. When I moved in with my now-husband, his dark green old sofa definitely did not spark joy in me. Fortunately, we compromised and got rid of it (see what I did there) and our neighbors happily drove away with it in the back of their minivan. We all have stuff we don’t use or need anymore. Just open your cabinets and take a peek. It’s pretty common on the BN page to see offers of half-used, opened shampoo or other hair products. My husband, who for the record is bald, thinks this is crazy. But who hasn’t wanted to try a new product without purchasing a whole thing? Those items can be very expensive, so this is sort of like sampling. At first, I thought it was a bit weird, but my perspective has changed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/048d9658-163b-4492-9e10-d55863faf96c/BN.png Choosing to be happy - Buy Nothing: More than just Free Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/ohgymhowimissedthee monthly 0.5 2022-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ceb936e3-7975-491c-b947-7a171f36c111/peloton.jpg Choosing to be happy - Oh, gym how I missed thee For Christmas of 2021, I gifted the family a Peloton bike and all that goes with the world of Peloton. I was riding the fitness bike in our workout room prior to Peloton, but there is no comparison. We love our Peloton and quickly got on a workout routine. For those of us who are competitive in our fitness (hand raised) Peloton is particularly attractive. It tracks everything for me! Plus, there is the added leaderboard competition and the instant comparison with how I rode the last time. All of this greatly appeals to my competitive side. And I don’t just stick to the rides (though I love me some Cody), I love the strength, bike bootcamp and shadowboxing classes. But I still missed the community of the actual gym. https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/breaking-up-from-a-job-is-hard-to-do monthly 0.5 2026-02-20 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/theyearwithoutaholidaycard-xtxgd monthly 0.5 2025-12-19 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/camping monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/Holiday+stress monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/resilence monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/mental+health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/happy monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/christmas+cards monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/Foster+fail monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/cleaning+out monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/choosingtobehappy/category/pivot monthly 0.5 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This has NOT happened of course. I spend my days reading cases and treatises to bring myself up to speed. My first few weeks, that was basically all I did. In meetings, I surreptitiously jot down case names my co-workers casually throw around so I can look them up later to understand what they are talking about. I try hard to pay attention to discussions on Title-this and Title-that with the hope that I will learn something by osmosis. That hasn’t worked quite yet, but I remain hopeful. https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/highheelscomplicated monthly 0.5 2022-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4e832b02-c85c-4c83-9821-c9ecadfe7c9c/high+heel.jpg Esquire...ette - Heels: A Complicated Relationship - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/beingaladylawyer monthly 0.5 2022-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/7afb043e-1853-4c24-89c2-651b33367b12/me+lawyer.jpg Esquire...ette - Being a lady lawyer Have I been treated differently as a female attorney? Absolutely. Have I let it stop me in any way? Absolutely not. I notice some older, male attorneys can be very touchy with young, female attorneys and like to “get in your space”. They will call you “sweetheart” and “honey”, as they touch your arm or shoulder in court. I have never let it bother me, but admit to never really knowing how to handle it either. I may be a strong, female attorney, but personal conflict in a professional setting is still highly uncomfortable! As I’ve gotten older, some (even) older male attorneys still act like this, but now I keep the chair between us and certainly covid has helped (I don’t even have to shake hands anymore!). https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/wheniwasababylawyer monthly 0.5 2022-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a668c763-754c-4135-a0a3-eb837ee3e89c/T+lawyer.jpg Esquire...ette - When I was a baby lawyer… - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/life+change monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/working+mom monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/Law+career monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/work+life+balance monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/learning monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/high+heels monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/category/fashion monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23footpain monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23change monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23momlife monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23choosehappy monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23womenlawyer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23law monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23learning monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23womenlawyer. monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23newjob monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23shoes monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23workingmom monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23worklifebalance monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23ladylawyer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23persimmonlife monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/esquireette-1/tag/%23highheels monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1 daily 0.75 2023-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/50c5a82a-20da-4589-903a-3009491dfbc6/pantyhose.jpg She said/she said - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/cellphone monthly 0.5 2023-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1678544082820-ETKQI9Q9ZVNZUMGL8OVD/Screenshot_20230311_090252_Word.jpg She said/she said - My Love-Hate Relationship With My Phone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/lazyorleisure monthly 0.5 2022-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/031ddd0e-e9ba-49b4-a6b5-3b6266bf896b/painting.jpg She said/she said - Is it being lazy or is it leisure: Is there a difference? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/takingastepbackasastepmom monthly 0.5 2022-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/35226808-b26e-465c-b895-90dc44c6f73a/table.jpg She said/she said - Step-momming: When to Take a Step Back and Why It’s Worked for Me In the beginning, it was really difficult to feel accepted as a new member of the house. I was the outsider. There were routines already in place and I came along and very much upset the apple cart. I remember my big issue of wanting us to all sit around the dinner table together. It was a disaster for about the first year or so. I wanted so much to live up to the image in my mind of what a normal family looks like and eating dinner together was a huge thing for me. It still is. But I came in too strong with my beliefs and I tried to make a lot of changes very fast. My husband was the kind of single dad who made quick, easy dinners and didn’t insist on eating dinner at the table. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/thesuperiorityofcats monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f9fb6f15-5d03-43b5-9483-cbc5b46fb810/jasmine+book.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats 2. My cats leave me alone, except when they don’t Cats sleep A LOT and they take that sleep very seriously. I can go long periods of time in a day without seeing them at all. They give me my space, until they don’t. When they are in the mood, they follow me around the house helping me with chores and making sure I pay attention to them. They know what they want and when they want it. I respect this too. Notice the side eye in this picture since I am not petting her, but instead choosing to read my book https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/fb0a269d-1157-47e9-92e5-1eabb2d983d8/Toby+and+yoga.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats 7. They are enthusiastic about my yoga and fitness in general I teach and practice yoga in various places in my house and my cats love to join me. Actually, they join us for most exercise – acting as extra weight on your belly during push-ups, spotting during chest presses and snuggling up against my leg during any seated exercise. I especially like when they climb on me during yoga or lay directly under me during down dog. I figure people pay extra money for goat yoga, so why not cat yoga? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a0596c24-7d76-44c8-a9ac-e47de4fc11ec/Toby+sleeping.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats 9. There is nothing quite like a purring cat There really is nothing like it when a cat decides to curl up with you and sleep. Their purr of contentment is completely soothing and makes everything just feel ok. The only negative is that it is so hard to get up when you have a happy cat sleeping in your lap! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1652446461090-YNOEXU8GDWLQNDYW80HT/jasmine.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1652446491562-YNVHFD88O4VTGI4JOWQJ/charlotte.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1652446655940-ZYQGLX9W8XQWNYXBO8IY/Toby+with+flowers.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1652446671807-P5032JQCNUE5T33WM6Y0/toby+in+gym.jpg She said/she said - The Superiority of Cats https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/letsleavethemeangirlstothemovies monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c771a85a-e298-4cbb-9977-db1b6096d7b3/rosie+the+riveter.jpg She said/she said - Let’s leave the Mean Girls to the movies - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/aseasonforallfriendships monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/dfeb70b2-bcf5-40ef-a1d7-f23cabb68312/Friendship-Flowers.jpg She said/she said - A Season for all friendships - Make it stand out photo credit: www.mattbeard.com https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/womenandfriendship monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1e4744cc-c72f-425f-9d68-513f7b46f040/female+friends.jpg She said/she said - Women and Friendship - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/65e21c9e-6d15-4d31-ab43-3ce5f0cacce8/friendship.jpg She said/she said - Women and Friendship - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/imetmyhusbandtheoldfashionedway monthly 0.5 2022-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ec0fadff-a297-4cb2-a3ab-36f71e6aa673/N+%26+B.jpg She said/she said - I met my husband the old-fashioned way - I met my husband the old fashioned way. In person. For someone who treated online dating like an Olympic sport, I am still surprised I met my husband this way. No swiping. No pre-date texting to analyze his grammar and emoji usage. In the modern dating world, meeting IRL seems sort of unusual, doesn’t it? After swiping through every eligible bachelor within a 20 mile radius, I thought I had seen every single or pretending-to-be single man. And then one day there he was: this tall, bald man wearing his giant headphones and his signature zip up hoodie, walking his dog in front of my condo. He was my adorable neighbor two doors down, the single dad with the cute little girl and the black Goldendoodle. We met when I moved into the neighborhood in March 2019, started dating in April and were married in November 2020. My friends joke that it all transpired like a Hallmark movie, the perfect meet-cute. I’m just glad it ended like a rom-com and not like the horror films that were most of my online dating experience (that’s a whole different type of blog post). https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/anonlinedatingsuccessstory monthly 0.5 2022-03-14 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/mylovehaterelationshipwithpantyhose monthly 0.5 2025-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/57bc0d39-8112-4138-ad5f-c71b85e58fd6/hose.jpg She said/she said - My love/Hate relationship with pantyhose https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/thepantyhosedebate monthly 0.5 2024-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cdd96b0e-1cff-4cd5-9ba7-9e7f2c9cf52c/pantyhose2.jpg She said/she said - The Pantyhose debate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/pets monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/mean+girls monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/romance monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/friendship monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/pantyhose monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/adult+cliques monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/life+stress monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/cell+phone monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/relationships monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/animallover monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/marriage monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/home+life monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/mom+life monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/blended+family monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/stepmom monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/lawyer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/onlinedating monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/match.com monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/leisure+time monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/officepolitics monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/women+and+friendship monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/female+fashion monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/technology monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/professionalwomen monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/cats monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/femalelawyer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/clothing monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/relationship+success monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/realtionships monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/support monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/fashion monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/category/women monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23women monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23inclusion monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23relationships monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23technology monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23stepmomrole monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23match.com monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23mentalhealth monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23choosehappiness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23love monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23friendships monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23relationshipgoals monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23loveafterdivorce monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23womenfriends monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23family monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23cellphone monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23stepmom monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23stress monthly 0.5 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https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23pantyhose monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/she-saidshe-said-1/tag/%23phone monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c9efc261-82cb-4b5e-a56b-d3b0ebedb405/kayak.jpg On being a mom/stepmom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3a4c5511-20f1-44e4-bf8a-4b65f2a52bbf/duck+mom.jpg On being a mom/stepmom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0aa8884b-9d4f-4863-892d-6c8af531cb34/t+family.jpg On being a mom/stepmom https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/travelwithmysonbelize monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cff640b3-9b4e-4c9a-9c50-620118b8cb35/belize+2.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition - Matthew swimming with the nurse sharks - I jumped in after this picture! Our tour took us to the Marine Reserve, Shark Alley, and a few other stops for snorkeling. We were able to swim with the sting rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and manatee! Along with seeing loads of colorful fish and coral, sea horses and tarpon. Great full day with just a touch of sunburn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1177666b-2386-474c-8831-86bee8d1f340/Belize+6.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition - “El Castillo” At the Mayan ruins we saw 4 other people which is truly an amazing way to see an archeological site. I overcame my fear of heights and made it to the top of El Castillo from which you could see both Guatemala and Mexico. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/6e77d686-2405-4352-94a5-acef63bfde65/Belize+7.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition - Matthew and me after the ATM cave tour No pictures are permitted in the cave but our guide sent us some later for memories. We both thoroughly enjoyed this tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1c5bf992-64f8-40b3-82ac-f25b1ab00202/Belize+8.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition Our cabin on the edge of the rainforest at TREES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d2fca9dc-a372-4753-9ab7-418fd7c77039/belize+12.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition - The bottom of Antelope Falls in Mayflower Bocawina National park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749823093184-ZQY4RPLA85TN4ZUNBMQA/Belize+1.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749823109815-V4XTBF13Y34L4NNBG0IR/belize+3.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749823109729-V507STS1EUSESW3G5YBN/belize+4.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749824918095-8A12MYHI621P35IR0OZ4/belize+13.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749823111038-93900P6J599F0LUXVUOI/Belize+5.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749824950935-P7PB7SUWQMRPBRCTCKTO/belize+9.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749824950735-SYE5BUNRMD4OHWNK5QJU/belize+10.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1749825451875-S54BIYO8SHX4D0PARDTM/belize+11.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son: Belize Edition https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/emptynesterholiday monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1733491573152-TIEAUNE3LPH1KK01QKFT/unsplash-image-osXUs0IjXB0.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Empty Nester Holidays- It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas…yet - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/childfirstdiabetessecond monthly 0.5 2024-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/98bb29df-7279-49c9-a6d7-421cb19d2733/N+ambassador.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - “Child first, Diabetes second” - Photo - Nicholas does volunteer work with JDRF Prior to his insulin pump and continual glucose monitor (CGM), he would have to prick his finger for a glucose read (just like at the doctor’s office) multiple times a day and then we would decide if we needed to treat with insulin for a high or give him food for a low. So many finger pricks for months. Then there were the needles. I hate needles. They have always freaked me out. But it is amazing what you can do when your child needs insulin to live. I became an expert at giving needles. People have actually said to me, “I don’t know how you do that, I couldn’t”. Really? You can do anything if you have to, especially for your child. We would ask Nicholas if something was “shot-worthy” because he had to give himself a shot of insulin before eating anything. I can promise you anything sweet was “shot-worthy”. It was a family inside-joke. But boy, I hated seeing those needles. He would have one shot before every meal, a shot for any snack over 15 carbs and then a long-lasting insulin shot before bed. Up to 6 or 7 a day sometimes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/e105676d-31dd-4529-ad99-034bd5693552/N+running+race.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - “Child first, Diabetes second” - Photo from a 5 mile trail run There have been times he hasn’t been able to play or has been pulled out of soccer games because he feels low. His frustration at these times is palpable, but he shoves in some glucose tablets or gummies, waits until he feels better and asks to go in again. His coaches have been very supportive and have even carried snacks for him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b72fd78e-7b96-49d2-bede-81d6c8200c2a/dexcom+view.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - “Child first, Diabetes second” - Picture is a Dexcom read on my phone These have been game-changers for us in our day to day life. There are so many commercials now for CGM’s that most people have heard of them (love Nick Jonas!), but here’s a quick tutorial. These attach to your arm/stomach/lower back/leg (someplace with a little fat) by adhesive. When they are attached a tiny cannula is injected into your skin that by some miracle of science can read your blood sugar. This needs to be changed every 10 days. The Dexcom CGM we use gives us a pretty accurate reading every 5 minutes of my son’s blood sugar. This is amazing! Before we were flying blind most of the time, until we pricked his finger. Now we know all the time. Even better, I can watch his blood sugar via an app on my phone. I have laid in bed many nights watching my Dexcom app to make sure his numbers go back up before I can close my eyes again. I love science. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/7364de2f-cd2e-4a5d-b249-dfdc7cf82031/diabetes+debris.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - “Child first, Diabetes second” There are downsides of course. At all times, my son has these two medical devices attached to his body. If he doesn’t put one back on, we are right back to shots and finger pricking. This is tough. He is already developing some scar tissue on his belly at 15 years old, so we have to be more cognizant of moving the pump around more. And there is SO MUCH medical waste that goes along with these devices. As much as I am thankful for these wonderful devices, I hate that my son has to rely on them and that they are damaging his body. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/74ed10ba-7384-4062-a73b-96bd68b5ea59/JDRF+walk.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - “Child first, Diabetes second” - Make it stand out Volunteering at a recent rainy JDRF OneWalk in Baltimore https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggocollegefreshman monthly 0.5 2024-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2427f9d3-4369-4f28-bc6b-1fcd81c8fe9e/N+in+front+of+dorm.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: My College Freshman His move in date went smoothly, the school has it down to a precise science. And he was correct that he would have everything he needed and if he didn’t, we would just get it later. We got his room set up with his roommate (who he did not know previously) and hung his Tottenham flag up (his only wall decoration) and got him settled. I took my pictures and we hugged fiercely on the front steps of the dorm and I cried as I hugged him. I knew I would and he knew I would. Frankly, we all knew I would. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/travelingwithmyyoungestson monthly 0.5 2024-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a08db9a3-ed12-4413-bf69-7ff5eb2d93b3/N+flatirons.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son - Flatirons hike Boulder is a lovely town and we enjoyed walking on Pearl Street, visiting the local bookstore that has been there for years, and having lunch next to a spouting fountain. We drove up to visit NCAR (the National Climate & Atmosphere Research Center) that overlooks Boulder and is right at the base of the Flatiron mountains. NCAR has a terrific visitor center filled with hands-on climate science exhibits and has numerous hiking trails on its grounds. We did our first hike of the trip with the Flatirons as the backdrop and looking out over Boulder – just lovely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/52d646f1-e523-498d-beab-c05c73d73871/N+RMNP+2.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son - A view from up high Our next adventure was in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Certainly, a tough 9.5-mile hike at elevation for us – we reached 10.2k feet and felt it! The views were breathtaking, and the air was gloriously fresh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b8337f12-a94d-4625-86b4-b6233329a17b/N+Pikes+Peak.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son - Pikes Peak On Friday, we drove up Pikes Peak to the 14k elevation peak. We both thought the drive might be a little lame, but quickly changed our minds as soon as it started. The ride up is equal parts amazing and terrifying, especially in the “switchbacks”. Envision being super high up, no guardrails, and driving on a two-lane road. Needless to say, I told N to take photos so I could look later as my eyes were not coming off the road! At the top is a visitor center with spectacular views and wonderful hot donuts. We of course ate the very delicious donuts while we admired the views and the marmots racing around from the safety of a bench. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1720794807758-WYK4VONJ9H780Y52VVN4/me+Meuller+SP.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1720794835259-ALYZC08NA9ZIFC4NVFN6/N+Florrisant.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1720794864941-A929JJVE3IV5XOE5OHYV/N+garden+of+the+gods.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with My Youngest Son https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/kidsdothat monthly 0.5 2024-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/bd874b63-c09a-4f79-886e-a9e9b926d68d/me+and+M+beach.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - But How Do you Get your Kids to Do That?? M and me hiking near Calvert Cliffs State Park, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/375d5f9e-645f-4dff-b665-6b6bf79c8f5a/all+hiking+young.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - But How Do you Get your Kids to Do That?? Hiking to Fort Bowie, Arizona with M and N https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/bigchange monthly 0.5 2024-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f2d369b2-d14b-43d8-b14b-267956952ae3/UM+boys.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - A Big Change is Coming - It is my Choice how to Respond My boys at U Maryland https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggocollegeacceptanceletter monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2203c837-6ae1-4267-947e-ee53aac115dc/M+%26+N+2023.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: The College Acceptance Letter - My boys with Testudo I am happy to report my son was accepted at University of Maryland which was his one and only choice, so all is good in the world right now. I am thrilled for him and happy that he will be less than an hour from home. And for at least one year he will be with his older brother. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/5a729489-102b-49e1-9d1c-c49f4b1abac3/UM.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: The College Acceptance Letter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/thoughtsfromabenchwarmermom monthly 0.5 2023-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/af9093d4-6a43-4d54-a265-13a2f832422e/bench.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Thoughts from a Bench Warmers Mom - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggosenioryear monthly 0.5 2023-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/81d1074c-30e2-429c-b0c3-673e7cdf1591/homecoming+float.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: Senior Year Homecoming float from Mahwah High School 1989. Picture from yearbook. And yes, I am in this picture! https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/noclubsports monthly 0.5 2023-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2d8807f9-8fae-46f8-a552-fd5b39e7834d/soccer+ball.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - We Don’t Play Club Sports in our House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/289a73db-33c7-4af4-aa44-7d5eb6f1263f/soccer.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - We Don’t Play Club Sports in our House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/raisingaboy monthly 0.5 2023-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8bd87027-44fa-44c8-88ce-3ceab848ef67/will+and+TV+2.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Raising a Boy: It’s Just Different - Will climbing He is ready to climb mountains at 6:00 a.m., but he settles for scaling the furniture and diving off our side tables. At 29 pounds, he is ready for football practice. He moves furniture like it’s no big deal. I caught him taking all the kitchen chairs and dragging them across the floor and lining them up. He used all his might and bent over and pushed each one across the floor. I could even see his face turn red. He also regularly opens the tv console drawers, uses the open drawer as a step, and hoists himself up so he can put his face against the tv. Yes, the second tv, which we bought after he broke the first one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cf7dcc8f-5c30-41e3-ac74-536d11024851/will+and+tv.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Raising a Boy: It’s Just Different - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggosummerbreak monthly 0.5 2023-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/86e8a256-8376-4498-a1a3-21318f9f959d/day+planner.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: College Summer Break - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/easingintolifewithatoddler monthly 0.5 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/eeb40dc8-e677-46db-b613-97cdd0c9b658/will+climbing.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Easing Into Life with a Toddler On the Move: Everything is Messy and Sticky….But also Wonderful and Magical What did I get myself into? Watching him climb onto his water table and try to slide down is terrifying. He also climbs on top of our wooden side tables and tries to push the lamp and anything he can onto the floor. He actually laughs at me if I stop him: a sweet but demonic little chuckle as he looks me right in the eye. It’s no wonder he always had a bruise somewhere on him. He has no coordination, but also no fear. I feel like a bad parent every time he has another visible injury, but then I see some of the other kids at school and they also have skinned knees and scratches on their faces. They must also be banging their heads on the window screen trying to break free. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f1a405a1-7e89-40ec-acc0-a95a0bcd2468/t+and+will.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Easing Into Life with a Toddler On the Move: Everything is Messy and Sticky….But also Wonderful and Magical But at the same time, I wasn’t really prepared for just how close he would want to be. Any sense of personal space that I once had is gone. Sometimes he crawls on top of me just to be near me. If I am reading a book or on my phone, he will grab it and throw it. He does this of course in the gentlest of ways…not. He tries to lean into me and ends up headbutting me with his giant head. It hurts. He hugs me and lets me kiss him, but he often returns that affection with pinches and slaps to my face. Apparently, this is also common so I shouldn’t be too concerned. He doesn’t talk yet, so this is just how he communicates his feelings. I can’t wait for the hitting/biting/pinching phase to end. The snuggling I hope never ends. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/whenitrainsitpours monthly 0.5 2023-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/460cae5b-5d8b-45fd-89b4-05e2b7737a95/will.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - When it Rains It Pours: A Crazy Few Weeks for My Family - Will and his granola bar That is the lesson from this part of the shitshow. Oh, and don’t assume doctors (or lawyers!) have all the answers. Sometimes you need to be your own advocate or you are going to end up sitting in a lot of waiting rooms getting the run around. We are now going to see this other specialist and it’s pretty agonizing to keep waiting, but I am trying to just take it one step at a time. My son is happy and appears perfectly healthy. He apparently loves waiting rooms and charming people into buying him snacks from the vending machine. One of the receptionists was kind enough to give him a very battered looking Nutrigrain bar, and he devoured it! Her kindness meant the world to me because I was really struggling sitting there for hours with a hungry toddler. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/uncooperativecoparenting monthly 0.5 2023-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f053c95e-870b-4596-9da0-61fc040c6c25/control.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Coparenting When One Parent Doesn’t Participate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggolicense monthly 0.5 2023-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/85d7c3c6-24bf-4f58-bfab-f7fe2aced54b/N++license.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: The Driver’s License Success at the MVA! https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/onehalf monthly 0.5 2023-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/efac76c5-57cb-45f3-b2bc-bed7f845b24a/Beau+and+will.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Mom: I am Just One Half of this Team! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/daycaredecision monthly 0.5 2024-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/edaa6350-eb56-4e92-b97d-70696303c646/will+daycare+3.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Day Care: The Best Decision For Us & Why We Love It I’ve heard that a lot of people cry at the drop off and for some reason I didn’t and he didn’t. I was just happy that he was going to this new place with all of these other kids his age and I had a really good feeling inside from Day One. It also helps that I can see the building from the windows of where I work. Having him close by makes a huge difference because if something goes wrong, I am right there. I sometimes pass by when I am headed to lunch and I see him outside with his class and I know he is living his best life. I once made the mistake of driving over when I saw him outside and waving at him excitedly. Apparently, that was not a cool thing to do and he just stared at me. If he could talk, he would have told me how embarrassing I am. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1d134979-f8d8-48fb-a4d6-d5df56f84580/will+daycare.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Day Care: The Best Decision For Us & Why We Love It Day care has been a great experience for my son and while it is a major expense, I think the benefits are tremendous for him. I am glad he is comfortable being separated from us and he is getting the chance to interact with other kids. He will hopefully learn to share his toys and not hit his friends, and if I am really lucky they might work on potty training him one day!! https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/collegeapplications monthly 0.5 2023-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f5f7b1cc-a19c-47b7-a648-9295eff3bee9/college+application.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Tackling the College Application Process with the Reticent Teen - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/babywillisone monthly 0.5 2023-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4e1da525-6de5-4ad3-b360-337cdafd1fb6/will+birthday.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Baby Will is One: What I Learned this Year - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/witchinghour monthly 0.5 2023-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/f6cb2283-1423-467d-8f5b-01acc8167784/momlife.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Witching Hour - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggocollegewinterbreak monthly 0.5 2023-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8da77f3a-da50-4fa2-b534-bcecfe8846da/md.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting Go: College Winter Break - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/babysfirstchristmas monthly 0.5 2024-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c973a7eb-ef22-432e-820b-a2f9fd280c3e/will+with+santa++1.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Baby’s First Christmas: Is it Crazy That I Did Not Go Crazy? - First visit with Santa Anything I do for him this year is more for my enjoyment than his (ie: Santa photos where he cried hysterically—I will treasure this photo forever). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/74183701-2b38-469e-ac1e-4f1947794828/will+with+santa+2.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Baby’s First Christmas: Is it Crazy That I Did Not Go Crazy? - Make it stand out Second try with Santa https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/holidaytraditions monthly 0.5 2024-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cee3af97-3bac-4d35-8bdd-5f09518c7515/tree+cutting+down.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Holiday Traditions: A Cautionary Tale - Part of the tradition * Cutting down our own Christmas tree – We make a pilgrimage to the Christmas tree farm every year, rain or shine. As a family we walk up and down the rows of trees searching for the perfect tree which has to be the correct size and shape. When we find the tree each of the boys traditionally fights over who will cut it down, they each take two or three horribly crooked saw attempts, and then Tim climbs under the tree and gets it done! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/98ffe300-b195-4a2a-a1e5-c675083f0c88/tree.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Holiday Traditions: A Cautionary Tale - Christmas morning * Trimming the tree – Just like holiday decorations, we have accumulated massive amounts of tree decorations. We have ornaments from vacations, ornaments that the kids have carefully selected, as well as all the ornaments that all four kids have made through the years. We also have beads and ribbons and countless other things that must be on the tree. Our tree is no longer big enough for all our ornaments! I refuse to add another tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/08dfb3ad-044b-4a40-996f-e5d972c9c401/gingerbread.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Holiday Traditions: A Cautionary Tale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/flyingwithbaby monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d8175b92-207d-4939-839c-8aadc9a24216/will+on+plane.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Flying During the Holidays with a Baby: Fun and Exhausting but Worth It - Will testing out a seat Admittedly, I was anxious about many things for this trip, but my biggest worry was that he would poop on the plane. Literally, I laid awake thinking about this most of the night. Where would I change him on a plane? What if it was a blow out? Suppose it got on his clothes or he touched it and then touched me? The entire plane would hate us and there would be an emergency landing. I have flown with him twice before and I often joke that he and I made an agreement that he will not poop until we reach our destination. So far he’s done well on all the flights, but this was a long trip and I was worried my luck would run out. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/spiritedchild monthly 0.5 2022-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0a1043e3-369a-4204-bd9c-80f01a3218a4/N+in+rain.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The special challenge of a spirited child N loving the rain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2dc647cb-7959-4689-816f-a77dde372461/N+sad.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The special challenge of a spirited child This was the time period he would also decide if he wanted to participate in pictures or not, if not, he would literally turn his his head or his entire back to the camera. We laugh so much at these photos today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8390fcb6-87bd-47f9-ab7c-88a78a4f49d5/red+chair.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The special challenge of a spirited child - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/stepmomhardjob monthly 0.5 2022-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/12516ffa-22a4-4dea-b633-698024dbfa77/all+hiking.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Stepmom: A much harder job than I imagined - Make it stand out hiking adventure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cf27b1c9-899d-4d5a-816a-6d29674c07d7/hiking+steps.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Stepmom: A much harder job than I imagined - Make it stand out all together https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/97e046bd-0a40-43d9-ad21-4b64ab8f36ef/stepmom-quotes-laura-brimberry-1648754685.png On being a mom/stepmom - Stepmom: A much harder job than I imagined - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/lettinggocollege monthly 0.5 2022-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/6e4ed889-ea3b-4c48-8310-868a1187f57d/terps.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Letting go : The College Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/howissummeralmostoveragain monthly 0.5 2024-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1660316490467-FDY4A7FWAGNJ89B4ZPQY/N+in+raft.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Eek! How is summer almost over again? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1660316507194-2F1AF8XP5ZPS2INKI5SO/fair.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Eek! How is summer almost over again? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1660316526838-GD0ZAOI22MO3MLCBXVE1/us+at+Hershey.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Eek! How is summer almost over again? https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/makesureyoutakecareofyourselftoo monthly 0.5 2022-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d091dbae-73b5-40b7-8d64-a29203ca5aff/race+with+kids.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Whoa mama, make sure you take care of yourself too! - Make it stand out Kids joining us in a race https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/licensetodrive monthly 0.5 2022-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/225c713f-9527-4c53-8146-03d1fd59aa54/N+with+permit.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - License to Drive: Teaching Teenagers to Drive - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/thejoyoftravelingwithmyson monthly 0.5 2025-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/ff0b4d5c-9c1c-4989-b57b-7eb8da0b84ce/M+and+me+badlands+2.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son - Me and Matthew at Badlands overlook We got to Wall, South Dakota late at night after our delayed flight, so we had to wait until the next day to explore. We did get to see the famous Wall Drug store and take a picture with the big plastic Jackalope and giant 80-foot dinosaur overlooking the highway – can’t miss the kitsch! The first big thing on our list was Badlands National Park - what a truly breathtaking place. Picture driving and driving through the open prairie and the grass just ending and the ground opening up in front of you into miles and miles of canyons and mountains. Completely jaw-dropping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c7a6e8c1-4147-4e8a-a053-acb9f9435293/M+road.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son - Matthew on the outskirts of the Badlands entering Buffalo National Grasslands We drove through the open prairie to get to the next stop and had lots of laughs. At one point we got out of the car on the completely empty road and Matthew laid in the middle, right on the yellow line, to take photos. It was such an experience to be somewhere you could see for miles and miles and be almost alone with no buildings, trees or cars in sight. We also discovered that not all roads are paved in South Dakota - the paved road suddenly ended and we were on a dusty, red dirt, and gravelly road in our Hyundai Kona rental car. My palms were sweating! 40 miles of gravel road driving led to a small town that also only had dirt roads. This was a completely new experience for both of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/a0a978aa-0140-454d-8c2b-d41ae91c3c7d/custer+hike.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son - Matthew and me during our hike The Black Hills are known for the very unique rock formations with names like the Needles and the Cathedral Spires. Everywhere you looked the view was picture-worthy.. I’m pleased to say I kept up with Matthew through the entire hike and he only had to wait for me on rock scrambles – all my workouts have paid off! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260845095-O6OUSWXWWFF68XCBKQCS/m+badlands.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260868333-Q6M763272DFT2SA1GSVB/buffalo.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260878733-BALIT1F1X3WISNCHD6OG/Black+hills.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260891522-QP2E1BQI8QG2H9E9G1XF/M+and+me+badlands.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260914133-95O5IA55EE7GN7K40FV6/M+Mt.+Rushmore.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1654260929166-0U9LSGGY16CZ8O5W39CI/cave.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The Joy of Traveling with my Son https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/backtoworkthoughtsontheendofmaternityleave monthly 0.5 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4c60b8e2-d13c-4e3e-a291-cda22dbf24b0/will+first+day.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Back to Work: Thoughts On The Last Moments of Maternity Leave and the Return to Reality And so there I was, savoring my last night of maternity leave and it felt like the night before the first day of school. I had real anxiety despite the fact that I have worked here for years! What will I wear? Will my suit pants even button? What if all my login passwords have expired? Do I even remember how to be a lawyer? I wish I could just stay in leggings. I hope no one wants to touch my belly anymore. I decided to channel all that anxious energy into a photo shoot for my son’s first day of school. I laid out all my props; books, an apple (for his teacher, duh!), and a cute little sign. I settled on a crisp pair of jeans and a cute button down for him. Not exactly the most comfortable outfit to lay around in, but it sure does make for a cute photo. I also decided to refer to his day care as school. I think it makes the whole transition easier to process. All kids go off to school! No need to cry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4cd36e5e-af4f-492f-8018-2684376e3740/baby+will+in+stroller.PNG On being a mom/stepmom - Back to Work: Thoughts On The Last Moments of Maternity Leave and the Return to Reality - I picked him up 8 hours later and his first day was a total success. There were no diaper blow outs either. It’s funny how day cares operate now. They use apps to communicate with parents and a daily report gets sent to me letting me know critical details such as exactly how many ounces he ate, when he ate them, and when he peed and pooped. I call it his report card. It’s pretty hilarious, but my favorite part is the pictures they send. The best one was him riding on this giant stroller with seats for several babies and he was just sitting there with his new buddies smiling and as happy as can be. Those photos made the first week back so much better because I knew he was doing just fine. Better than fine actually! And so we made it through and we’re slowly establishing a routine. For 37 years I haven’t been a morning person and I am becoming one now. If you told me 5 years ago I would one day be sitting at my desk and working by 8:00 am I would have laughed and told you the only way that was possible is if I slept in my office. But babies change you (and not just your body). A crying and hungry baby at 5:45 am has a way of getting you up and moving, even if it’s slowly and with one eye open. Also, a lot of coffee helps. Like, a lot. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/nursinganewbornwhyiquitbreastfeeding monthly 0.5 2023-11-10 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/livingwithteenageboys monthly 0.5 2024-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/8b4dd86f-6893-49ff-a814-edff6ae0f1ae/camping+boys.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Living with teenage boys - Make it stand out Don’t get me wrong, my youngest son used to hold his breath until he passed out (such tenacity!) and was always covered in scrapes and bruises (very adventurous). He has always gone at life full throttle and I love that. My older son is more reserved, but he had his moments too and does not hesitate to try new things that keep giving me gray hair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1b02c20d-9c68-4269-aacd-45abdbe614a9/us+UMD.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - Living with teenage boys - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/mom-life-the-first-week monthly 0.5 2022-02-04 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/pregnancypeanutgallery monthly 0.5 2022-01-07 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/typeonediabetesdiagnosis monthly 0.5 2024-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/da1529e1-befe-42f4-b175-134217a524e4/JDRF+walk.jpg On being a mom/stepmom - The diagnosis that changed our lives - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. 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https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/tag/%23backtowork monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/tag/%23Belize monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/on-being-a-momstepmom-1/tag/%23babysfirstchristmas monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1 daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/thirdtimeisacharm monthly 0.5 2022-03-05 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/category/Love monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/category/secondmarriage monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/category/divorce monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/category/secondchanceatlove monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23marriageadvice monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23relationships monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23secondmarriage monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23remarriage monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23dating monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23marriage monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23love monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/love-and-marriage-1/tag/%23divorce monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in daily 0.75 2025-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/d6069999-a012-4166-97ca-493710b6357b/Aro+Ha_0387.jpg https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/thailandfamilyadventure monthly 0.5 2025-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/08d96ed6-6087-4700-98d1-ac051759b144/L+2.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure Upon arriving in Bangkok, you will likely be pretty tired from the long journey (especially from the US) If booking through an agent, such as myself, you will find arrival easy, with fast-track service and transportation to your accommodations in the city. Relax, unpack and grab a bite to eat, after a long trip to Thailand. Rest up for lots of activity the next day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/74d0a3db-9836-4cc5-925b-30a30f2cdf31/L+3.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure Today, you can take a guided tour of Wat Pho early in the morning (chanting starts at 9 am). Here you can watch the monks in action. This is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok and is famous for its 45-meter reclining Buddha. You can also visit the Grand Palace. Here you will experience all the palaces utilized for different occasions, such as the Funeral and Reception Palace and the Throne and Coronation Hall. You will also be able to see the most revered Buddha in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha. Just make sure that you are dressed modestly when you visit these sacred sites. Women need to cover their legs and arms, and men must wear pants. Have lunch along the riverside and experience the canals on a guided longboat ride along what is coined the "Venice of the East". Visit the traditional side of Bangkok by boat. Bidding farewell to the skyscrapers and modern businesses, and experiencing old wooden structures along the water, floating kitchens and bright, golden temples. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/28f0b81e-a9f9-4a56-9b52-b8b572606710/L+4.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure Next, you will want to stop by the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Visited for centuries, this market is unique in that all purchases of goods take place by boat. You travel slowly through canals, get "pulled into" someone's "shop" by a hook, if they are eager to sell to you and the best part is haggling on the price! From food to souvenirs, this market has everything you could want for both a unique lunch and gifts to bring home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/0d34a786-bc20-4b7c-8844-39664c528f22/L+5.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure Travel back to your accommodations and prepare for an amazing dinner experience. In the evening, you can drive about 20 minutes south of the city to a Thai family, of Lanna descent, who has lived on the same land for six generations. There, you will learn about the family's culture and history, tour the family farm and partake in a homemade traditional Thai meal — which is fabulous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c501a731-70e7-420b-80db-e8f6e99192b1/L+6.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/302e4474-e73f-4656-b917-32c4225eeb0c/l+7.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure Travel outside the city to an Elephant Sanctuary where you will experience an unforgettable encounter with these majestic, amazing animals. Here you will hike to local waterfalls, have a local lunch prepared for you and spend time feeding and bathing these animals. You will also be watching them forage in the forest for food. It is something not to be missed, and I encourage you to make sure to book with a reputable sanctuary where the elephants are well cared for. This is a full-day activity so you will return to your hotel in the early evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c07cbbd2-64a2-4804-a99b-c93b9b20cdcf/L+8.jpg Leaning In - Thailand: From Temples to Beaches: A Two Week Family Adventure - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/itsinthegenes monthly 0.5 2023-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/43d3fd44-7394-4216-b95e-0ed9be46b81d/Jen+TV.jpg Leaning In - It’s In the Genes, Find Out How They Could Save a Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/breastcancersurvivor monthly 0.5 2023-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/04769cce-176b-4626-b67a-75625b993a10/Tim+and+siblings.jpg Leaning In - You Can’t Change Your Genes, But You Can Change What You Do About Them The author, Jen with her siblings. Steph (second from left) died from breast cancer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4b26817a-7b52-433e-bcf2-5b8db98bec47/Jen+hospital.jpg Leaning In - You Can’t Change Your Genes, But You Can Change What You Do About Them - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/proof monthly 0.5 2022-10-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/28e61822-77a1-4947-942b-90511c1282ba/proof.jpg Leaning In - Proof - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/sameteam monthly 0.5 2022-06-10 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/adventuresinwateraerobics monthly 0.5 2022-03-25 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/Self+care monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/friendship monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/mammograms monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/mental+health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/family+travel monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/team+humanity monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/Breast+cancer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/mastectomy monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/Thailand monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/choose+kindness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/womens+health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/water+aerobics monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/fitness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/bonding monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/covid+isolation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/travel monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/Cancer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/category/Family+adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23friendship monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23mentalhealthawareness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23thailand monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23familytravel monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23adventure monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23mentalhealth monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23familyadventure monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23choosehappy monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23breastcancer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23introvert monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23wateraerobics monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23workingtogether monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23covidisolation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23JCC monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23cancer monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23genetictesting monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23womenshealth monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23mammogram monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/leaning-in/tag/%23travel monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health daily 0.75 2025-01-24 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/mentalhealthishealth monthly 0.5 2024-11-17 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/playingnurseisnojoke monthly 0.5 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/fae78e6c-eebe-474a-b1ee-7f565929d99b/sick+chair.jpg Good Health - Playing Nurse is no Joke - Make it stand out Our Sick Chair https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/holidaystress monthly 0.5 2023-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/725e718e-68c5-44b0-be72-33828d806d35/tree+2023.jpg Good Health - Stress: One of the Biggest Challenges of the Holiday Season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/acabininthewoods monthly 0.5 2023-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d1f7d703-6ac5-41f5-9b8a-637932170814/sunset+at+river.jpg Good Health - A Cabin in the Woods : Finding Your Happy Place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/96ce7d7f-77b0-42fc-b882-ef5363653cfd/processed_20230310_180847.jpg Good Health - A Cabin in the Woods : Finding Your Happy Place - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/newyearnewyou monthly 0.5 2024-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3c292d65-6953-4061-9005-b8229be4368a/times+square+ball.jpg Good Health - New Year, New You: Is that really a thing? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/persimmonbutter monthly 0.5 2022-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b2aeb75b-b833-4a95-a5fc-7eaa96bf0023/close+up+on+persimmon.jpg Good Health - Persimmon butter - pile of fresh persimmon If you’ve never had a persimmon, I think it tastes like a mix between a pear and a peach. Some people like them very ripe and soft which makes them sweeter. Barely ripe they are the consistency of a crisp pear. I happen to like them both ways. Persimmon start out yellow and as they ripen they become more and more orange. After some searching I located a few recipes for persimmon butter and persimmon bread. I thought I’d try to mix things up with a persimmon sauce similar to an apple sauce that we could use in yogurt or on toast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/d2e37baf-cfeb-4d47-8f22-d87fa4bb9ad7/persimmon+cooking.jpg Good Health - Persimmon butter - Make it stand out boiling persimmon https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/granola monthly 0.5 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/04c952f8-8652-4419-bbe3-13c4278f0c71/ingredients.jpg Good Health - Grain Free granola https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/36f0c509-2558-4257-91fb-09e183bcf82f/granola.jpg Good Health - Grain Free granola - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/step2nowwhat monthly 0.5 2022-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c258f96e-6630-4d0e-a865-0fd4b0097d54/wetsuit.jpg Good Health - Thought about my motivation, now what? - Make it stand out Getting ready for the Nanticoke Sprint triathlon with my son https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/stickingtofitnessgoals monthly 0.5 2025-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/91408994-8081-4c59-bd27-33e01f7ff886/climbing.jpg Good Health - Why is it so hard to stick with my fitness goals? I’m afraid of heights but have always wanted to rock climb so I signed up for an REI class and made it happen with my son. Was I scared? You bet! But I set my goal and met it. Although I didn’t reach the top each time, I am so happy with what I accomplished. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/takingsteps monthly 0.5 2025-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b6a595fd-6176-43e2-92f7-17042f3a61b2/shoes.jpg Good Health - Throw out the 10k step goal and just move! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/proteinballs monthly 0.5 2022-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/2f4ba663-6f98-477e-a918-d1fb11fdee02/protein+ball.jpg Good Health - Easy Protein Balls Easy Healthy Snack Recipe - Protein Balls 1 C unsweetened coconut 1 C oats 1 ½ C peanut butter (chunky or smooth) 2 T Chia seeds ½ mini chocolate chips or cocoa nibs 2 T local honey 2 T protein powder (optional) https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/Christmas monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/Holiday+stress monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/mental+health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/motivation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/recovery monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/holidays monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/fitness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/walking monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/cooking monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/Stress+relief monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/new+year monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/goals monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/recipes monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/Self+care monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/rotator+cuff+surgery monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/good+health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/selflove monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/healthy+living monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/sticking+to+goals monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/commitment monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/self+motivation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/meditation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/granola monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/self+love monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/category/surgery monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23stressrelief monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23christmas monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23mentalhealth monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23holiday monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23weightloss monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23walking monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23newyear monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23sickness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23health monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23december monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23selflove monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23family monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23shenandoah monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23healthyrecipes monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23happyplace monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23proteinsnack monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23food monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23steps monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23healthysnack monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23fitness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23relax monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23goals monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23holidaystress monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23motivation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23meditation monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23selfcare monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23recipes monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23recipe monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23granola monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23stepcounting monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23commitment monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23help monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23fitmom monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23newyearresolutions monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/good-health/tag/%23persimmon monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm daily 0.75 2026-03-27 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/weboughtafarm monthly 0.5 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/3fc57046-1920-4d6c-840c-0af200155ed4/Holly+Springs+Farm.jpg Holly Springs Farm - We Bought A Farm We toured the house and barn and walked the fields and woods, and I could so easily picture us happily living and working here. I pictured where I would plant my garden and my peonies, where we would put the glider to watch the sunset. The feelings were overwhelming. I could tell my husband felt the same way but was being stoic about the whole thing so as not to get his hopes up. We went home that day and talked about all the things we liked about the farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/9f4ff18e-e5cc-4d7c-935c-b714cab84840/Toby+hiking.jpg Holly Springs Farm - We Bought A Farm - Toby leading the way into our back field. I try to walk the property with Toby, my cat, as often as I can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1774621741277-2S2DIGP1TRX4B4XSKAL1/Sunset+1.jpg Holly Springs Farm - We Bought A Farm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1774621936168-1MRMD0TKD5KT84G8F1CQ/barn.jpg Holly Springs Farm - We Bought A Farm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/1774621984334-GGVADWUBR893JGCIETXI/house.jpg Holly Springs Farm - We Bought A Farm https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/category/momlife monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/category/happiness monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/category/farm monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/category/dreams monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/hollyspringsfarm/category/farmlife monthly 0.5 https://www.persimmonlife.com/aboutus daily 0.75 2023-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/dd33b39b-fd5d-4149-8275-cb7d5d5efa2c/me+Adventure+race.jpg Who we are - Amy I am the proud mother of two athletic, funny, smart boys and the stepmom to my husband, Tim’s wonderful son and daughter. My career has been as a government attorney, which I have been doing for over 22 years. My favorite place to spend time would be a stream with moss-covered rocks in the woods or basically any National Park. I am an exercise enthusiast and enjoy teaching cycling and yoga as well as competing in adventure races and triathlon. I am a beekeeping, gardening, baker who loves to read and pretty much do anything outside (a hike with Tim in a National Park is nirvana!). I love trying new things and can’t wait to share my projects on Persimmonlife! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c1ae9b82-c3b3-4f4c-b84c-1ae08cac7282/tasha2.jpg Who we are - Tasha Like Amy, Tasha is a lawyer working in Maryland. She lives with her husband Beau, his daughter, Caroline, and 3 very strong-willed dogs in the suburbs. She is expecting her first child, Will, in January 2022. She enjoys reading, cooking, biking, jogging and long walks through Costco. She spends her days in court and her nights at home watching murder mysteries and documentaries about serial killers. If she were trapped on a remote island, she would need the following to survive: green smoothies, a play list of all country music, juicy fruit gum, and good floss. Her dream is to run a senior dog rescue and live near a beach. Other than Facebook, this is her first attempt at writing publicly. https://www.persimmonlife.com/home daily 1.0 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/5a1b34cf-15fe-4bed-954e-4742d7a55f66/babyboy.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/50c2b93d-fa5f-4de6-9e3b-1cdb77d865aa/costumes.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b2bc0b79-b27b-4e40-a4ce-40a3bd48e4b0/dogs.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/14b8f405-1880-44e7-a4f5-dd9d49a017f9/n.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/5eaef1cc-9155-452e-8f69-2017cf3a96b5/hiking.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/e93444fc-f42e-4672-a358-5dfc4f98fdef/me+and+T.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/860eb9ae-a8b9-4d90-8b91-2770d1b15422/Jen+hospital.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/22bbc225-2474-4974-a9b3-33d278bbcadb/Holly+Springs+Farm.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/defea88a-a4f9-49ed-9ed1-e314bcf4f0f6/Mufasa+4.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/af7c6d84-2a1e-45bd-8d8b-6bf52284ed52/karma.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/c6a5e534-a015-4d36-9f3b-db672e8ffe5e/Tasha+outside+of+court.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/4f2e32be-eab4-4846-8047-294ea7d063c5/20220703_201609%280%29.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.persimmonlife.com/namaste daily 0.75 2026-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/cf042022-b219-4253-b5fa-867f1b8761af/Screenshot_20211120-142121_Instagram.jpg Namaste - Join Amy for a live yoga class All bodies are welcome to this live 60 minute class. Class level is beginner to intermediate with lots of modifications provided. All you need is an open mind and mat (blocks and strap a bonus). If you are new to yoga, please check with your physician before starting any new exercise. Pay what you can Venmo @Amy-Hott Questions? ahott2@hotmail.com Link will be posted here the night before class April 2026 Yoga Sunday, April 5 at 9:30 AM Sunday, April 12 at 9:30 AM Sunday, April 19 at 9:30 AM Sunday, April 26 at 9:30 AM https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61aa3fba4f4ada368ddd218e/b94b627c-aaf6-4776-9e79-d7f49f639710/yoga.jpg Namaste https://www.persimmonlife.com/new-page daily 0.75 2026-03-27